Arrive in Mumbai and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.
After breakfast, enjoy a half-day morning excursion to Elephanta, a World Heritage Site dating back to the 7th century. The cave temples on Elephanta dedicated to Lord Shiva contain some of the most magnificent sculptures in the Deccan region. The most spectacular is the Maheshamurti panel, which depicts Shiva as a creator, protector and destroyer. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of the bustling city of Mumbai and visit the Gateway of India built to commemorate the royal visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Stop by Dhobi Ghat, Flora Fountain and Hanging Gardens. Drive down Marine Drive and pass Chowpatty Beach and the Parsi ‘Towers of Silence’. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Early in the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Aurangabad. On arrival in Aurangabad, check into the hotel. In the afternoon, take an excursion to the famous Ellora Caves. The 13 Hindu, five Jain and 16 Buddhist existing caves with carvings on volcanic rock are living examples of early Indian art. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these artistic caves house the most elaborate sculptures and architecture. Stay overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, take an excursion to the Ajanta Caves. Hidden within them, find some magnificent paintings and rock cut cave temples carved between 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. Discovered accidentally by a company of British soldiers in the 19th century, the Ajanta group of caves is a World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, check into the hotel for overnight stay.
After breakfast, take a full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Visit the Red Fort comprising exquisite palaces reflecting Mughal architecture and the largest mosque in India, the Jama Masjid. Walk through the colorful and bustling Chandni Chowk bazaars. Visit Raj Ghat, a memorial for Mahatma Gandhi, Humayun’s Tomb, one of the city’s finest historic sites as well as the Qutub Minar, a soaring tower of victory dating back to 1199. Drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan, the residence of the President of India, Rajpath and India Gate, among other landmarks. Stay overnight at the hotel.
259 kms/156 miles | 4-5 hrs by road
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. On arrival in Jaipur, check into the hotel. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure. In the evening, visit the Birla Temple for the prayer ceremony. Stay overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, take a full day sightseeing tour and visit the Hawa Mahal from where the palace women would discreetly observe the activities of the bustling bazaar below. Proceed to Amber Fort with an elephant rid up the Fort’s ramparts. The Fort, originally built in the 16th century by Maharaja Man Singh encloses superb palaces and a beautiful temple in marble dedicated to the fearsome goddess Kali. In the evening, visit the City Palace Museum with its collection of elaborate costumes, magnificent armory and intricate carved weapons. Also visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory nearby built in 1728. Stay overnight at the hotel.
249 kms/150 miles | 4-5 hrs by road
After breakfast, drive to Agra. En route visit the imperial ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri constructed of sandstone and built by Emperor Akbar. Within it, lies the tomb of the great Sufi saint Salim Chisti. It houses the Panch Mahal and the Buland Darwaza, two of the many excellent representations of Mughal architecture. On arrival in Agra, check into the hotel. At sunset, visit the Taj Mahal built by Emperor Shah Jehan as a shrine for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is considered to be the ultimate symbol of love with its majestic marble domes and elegant minarets. Stay overnight at the hotel.
At sunrise, visit the Taj Mahal for a spectacular view of the magnificent monument. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Thereafter, take a sightseeing tour and visit the Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar in 1565. Made of red sandstone, this structure reflects fine Mughal architecture with ornate interiors in the Jehangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Deewan-e-Am. Stay overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to the railwaystation to catch a train to Jhanshai. Upon arrival surface transfer to Khajuraho.On arrival in Khajuraho, check into the hotel. In the afternoon, take a sightseeing tour and visit the Jain and Hindu temples built in sandstone between the 9th and 11th centuries during the Chandela dynasty. Admire the traditional temple architecture and the exquisite details of the sculptures, the flowing curves and delicate lines that Khajuraho is renowned for. Stay overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight to Varanasi. On arrival in Varanasi, check into the hotel. In the afternoon, take a sightseeing tour and visit Sarnath, believed by Buddhists to be where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Also visit the towering Damekh Stupa, the Ashoka Pillar, the ruins of an ancient temple, the Museum and monasteries in the area. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Early in the morning, enjoy a boat ride on the River Ganges and watch a spectacle of devout pilgrims and holy men along with curious onlookers at the banks. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, check into the airport hotel for overnight stay.
Transfer to the airport for onward travel.
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